Il Memorial "Giovanni Falcone" is now in its tenth edition: it is the final barrage for the Falcone Trophy, una dog test on quail organized by the headquarters of Manfredonia (in the province of Foggia) of the Italian Federation of Hunting. Furthermore, we are talking about the individual Sant'Uberto regional selection. The competition in question is open to everyone, therefore it is not limited to Federcaccia members only, with the meeting scheduled for 6:30 next April 17th, day on which it will be possible to register directly on the field (until 10:30 am). A series of very interesting prizes are expected. The award ceremony will cover five absolute (from 26 to 65 years to be precise), three veterans (over 65) and two juniors (from 18 to 25 years). The same goes for the Memorial, with six awards related to a single ranking.
The regulation to which the participants will have to refer is the usual one of ENCI (Italian National Dog-loving Body). The valid game is obviously represented by quails whose behavior, both on the competition field and in flight, is suitable for evaluating the work of pointing dogs. Moreover, the judges can order and control the placing of the same quail on the ground, taking care that each competitor is treated in the same way and that the game is distributed evenly and optimally over the entire useful range.
The ideal soils are flat ones or only slightly wavy, with a configuration suitable for the regular performance of the test: the minimum size is 15 hectares and there must be no intermediate obstacles. As a rule, pointing dogs compete in pairs and their round lasts ten minutes. Once this round is completed, there will be no further calls of the animal if he has not met and stopped even one of the quail laid on the ground.
To the races english a fast and sustained pace is required, while the search must be open on the sides and of the right depth, as well as orderly and capable of guaranteeing an effective exploration of the terrain. The handler's calls are essential at all times and the dog must respond promptly. The judges will evaluate the perfect demonstration of correctness to the whip and to the shot (always performed by the conductor). As regards, however, the guide or the approach to the wild animal, the handler must avoid in all ways to intervene directly on the dog, which must move quickly on the quail. To the races Continentalfinally, a quick gait is required, in the style of a breed and of limited depth.